In a remarkable initiative, Kenya has designated a special holiday for its citizens to collectively plant 100 million trees, contributing to the government's broader objective of planting 15 billion

trees within the next decade. This unique holiday empowers each Kenyan to actively participate in the nationwide tree-planting endeavor, fostering a sense of ownership in the initiative, as emphasized by Environment Minister Soipan Tuya.

With the primary aim of combatting climate change, the tree-planting holiday encourages every Kenyan to plant a minimum of two seedlings, collectively working toward the ambitious target of 100 million trees. Trees play a crucial role in addressing global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, contributing to environmental sustainability.

The government is actively involved in this initiative by making approximately 150 million seedlings available in public nurseries. These seedlings are provided free of charge at forest agency centers, specifically designated for planting in public areas. Additionally, the government encourages citizens to purchase at least two seedlings for planting on their private land.

President William Ruto took the lead by participating in the tree-planting exercise in Makueni, located in the eastern part of the country. Cabinet ministers, county governors, and other officials were dispatched to various regions to spearhead the process, promoting widespread community involvement.

The tree-planting effort is being monitored through the innovative Jaza Miti app, enabling individuals and organizations to record activities such as the plant species, quantity, and date of planting. The app facilitates informed decision-making by matching the appropriate seedlings with specific planting sites.

Despite the positive reception, challenges have been noted, particularly in urban areas where participation may be limited, and some individuals may view the holiday as an opportunity for leisure. Environmentalist Teresa Muthoni lauds the initiative but underscores the need for better organization to ensure broad participation, considering economic challenges faced by many.

Muthoni also raises concerns about the availability of exotic trees in public nurseries, emphasizing the importance of planting native species in suitable locations. Criticisms have been directed at the government for promoting tree planting while allegedly failing to address illegal logging, but Minister Tuya defends the decision, asserting that it applies to commercial forests and accounts for a mere 5% of the total.

Minister Tuya is optimistic about the initiative's impact on food security and climate change mitigation, highlighting the government's commitment to addressing cyclical droughts and floods. The tree-planting effort is expected to continue beyond the special holiday, with a goal of planting 500 million trees by the end of the rainy season in December. Photo by Caroletravis, Wikimedia commons.